People who make you sit down when you stand up to give an ovation — Page 2

"I think it's funny that this keeps happening to WRQ. She's like two feet tall, who's view could she be blocking?"

Thank you! I was considering adding that point in, just b/c I too find it humorous...but...I'm taller than two feet...you don't have rub it in that much :-P

Hmm, I never thought of it that way Tinydancer. Maybe keeping that in mind will give me the strength to not sit. Understand it's not that I was really concerned for those ppl as much as it was just...in the split second I couldn't find any strength within me to not sit. (Yes I know "no" takes less strength, but...you know what I mean). I just have a fear that they'll start screaming or making a huge big deal during curtain call and that above all is unfair to the actors, so I fear that occuring and that's why I can't ignore them/tell them off.

And to those of you who said Sweeney of all places...not only that...but at the friggin Actor's Fund performance! You'd figure w/ most of the audience being full of actors, it would mean more that everyone was standing!

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Please, you know someone would still complain about blocking their view with your arms. And if someone thinks the performance is worthy of a standing ovation, let them stand. It's their opinion of the show, not yours.

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I totally agree Alterego, and well it was late so I can't say for sure if you read my first post, but I think it's there, or at least meant to add that that's a big reason I'm so bothered by it--I view standing ovations like you do. I certainly don't automatically give them to everyone and there are times when a majority of the ppl stand and I don't.

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Fosse76 said it right "The curtain call is for the actors, not the audience."
The next time someone tells you to sit I would repeat that and keep standing. Or, You might say, "The Show is Over - The curtain call is for the actors, not the audience." and keep standing.
If people cannot stand or are older than Miss Jane Pittman then what are they doing in the Theater anyway?
I was once in a show and could easily see 3 front row seats taken by people so old and ill their eyes were CLOSED, They were on Oxygen and had their Nurses sitting next to them, That was such a bummer. I requested they all be moved at intermission and when asked where they should be moved to I told the house manager "From the looks of them, To Hospital I would say".
I have no idea who put them there but I can tell you it wasn't their own idea and I wish they had just kept them home where they could have cared for them. It was just awful and they simply were too old or ill to be there, If it were a relative of mine that would not have happened.

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That's thankfully not happened to me yet, but I give a standing ovation when I feel the need. I don't think that people behind me should complain. The show is over, and there's nothing more than bows to see and actors to recognize.

I agree as well Alterego. I think standing ovations should be reserved for only very special occasions, when something is so outstanding that is likely never to be seen again in the theater world. I'm one of those people who is sitting during many an ovatino, because though I may have enjoyed the show I feel that an ovation is an honor that is far overused and should be given out sparingly. I think I have given 4 out of over 200 shows that I have seen so far in my life.

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alterego and ALWrules, I think you're letting your own feelings about standing ovations in general take over your arguments with this specific issue.

What if it was an extraordinary performance of a show, you were completely blown away by the production, and as you give your 5th-ever standing ovation, someone behind you complains that they can't see? Would you sit down?

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Although I also feel that the standing ovation is way overused both in theatre and at talk shows on TV, if I feel that a production or company is deserving, I am one of the first people to stand, especially as you say for the ensemble who I feel work their butts off and usually don't get the recognition. I have often seen an audience applaud courteously, and sometimes lamely for the ensemble or even supporting players, yet applaud with maximum enthusiasm for a less than deserving principal performer simply because they had the most dialogue or because they are a name. When I don't feel the overwhelming urge to stand, I don't, but I applaud vigorously from my seat.

But if you feel the urge to stand, you should be entitled to do so as long as it is during the curtain calls and not during the show . I know I do; however, if after the curtain call, there is a reprise of a song (which seems to be a trend now), I do sit down during the reprise so if anyone behind me isn't standing they can appreciate the last song. Then I just stand again if the actors take additional bows.

As a paying customer, you are entitled to stand at curtain if you feel the urge. Some shows/performances ARE that exciting. It's the people that stand for everything that make the productions that are genuinely worthy of an ovation seem like nothing special.

See, I used to go to a Southern Baptist Church, and when you feel the spirit, you do what you gotta do, and no one minds. At _Lestat_ a few people would stand up from time to time and, Lord knows, I didn't think that it was worth a standing O, but God love 'em, those people were moved. So I say, "If you gotta stand up, stand up!" ...and feel free to shout out an "Amen" too.

Ok, so I didn't read much of this thread, cuz I'm lazy...but here is my input:

If you feel like standing, during curtain call, and people tell you to sit down, ignore them. They're stupid.

the end.

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